Parachinar

climate chart|Parachinar
-2|10|45
-1|10|74
4|15|127
10|21|88
14|27|66
18|31|45
20|30|107
18|28|102
16|27|55
10|23|22
5|18|17
1|13|34

Parachinar (Urdu: پاڑاچنار) coord|33|56|N|70|05|E|, altitude: 1,725 m (5,659 ft), is the capital of Kurram Agency, FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) of Pakistan. It is about 290 km west of the capital, Islamabad. It is situated on a neck of Pakistani territory south of Peshawar, that juts into Paktia Province in Afghanistan and is the closest point in Pakistan to Kabul and borders on the Tora Bora region in Afghanistan.

History

Parachinar originated as a summer residence for nomadic tribes who wintered their livestock at lower altitudes, and the district had originally been a summer residence for Moghul emperors from Delhi. The Parachinar region was part of Afghanistan before the Second Afghan War of 1878-79, but was not firmly annexed by the British due to resistance from local tribes until 1892. During the colonial era between then and 1947 Parachinar became a hill station for people from Peshawar as it is relatively cool in the summer and very easy to reach from the plains despite its high altitude since there are no steep ascents on the route from Peshawar.

Although it was a well-known travel destination in the years before the 9/11 incident and subsequent war on terror, it has now become a flash point of terrorism and sectarian violence.

The population originally consited largely of the Turi tribe of Pashtuns who are mostly Shia Muslims. Presently half the population is Shia and half Sunni Muslims.

Because of its proximity to the border it has been an important staging point for mujahadeen and Taliban fighters entering Afghanistan.

Etymology

The name of the town Parachinar comes from a big tree of Chinar (Maple tree) at a place which now is encompassed by the headquarter offices of Kurram Agency. Also in Kurram Agency there is a famous tribe known as "Parikhel" tribe which used to get together under this Chinar tree to resolve their social matters. This is why this region is called Parachinar.

Recent Activities

On February 16, 2008, a bomb in Parachinar killed 37 members of the Pakistan People's Party after they returned to party headquarters from a rally. There have been numerous other bombings in recent years due to the conflict between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

ee also

*Parachinar Airport
*List of airports in Pakistan
*Battle of Tora Bora

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7248445.stm